Des begins the first of an ultimately ill-fated tenth series with satellite interviews to Tom Jones in the US and Timothy Dalton in Vienna. In the studio are guests including Ray Brooks, Jacqueline Bisset and Marti Webb.
In the most infamous episode, Des watches the "live" part of his show go up in smoke as soon as Stan Boardman begins a routine about Focke-Wulfs. If things weren't bad enough for Des, next on the show are Oliver Reed and Freddie Starr.
Des deals with the aftermath of the previous week, where - despite the surrounding controversy - the show is still listed as live broadcasts until the Christmas Special. Guests helping to keep it less scandalous include Andy Williams.
Plácido Domingo shocks viewers by announcing that he's postponing his upcoming concert - as he thinks the ticket prices are too expensive. Other guests include Lynne Perrie and the winner of Saturday's New Faces final.
Des takes advantage of having Welsh guests by joining Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones in a rendition of "We'll Keep A Welcome In The Hillsides". Also on this festive special are Freddie Starr, Bernie Clifton and the Band of the Welsh Guards.